I have always carried a folder but this is my first foray into higher end knives and I am curious what you guys use to sharpen your knives with.

Mousepad and sandpaper is what I use...

Same for me. Howdy and welcome rvogster!

I use an oilstone or Lansky on flat grind but I think dog knives are 'rolled edge' so I'll go along with these experts!

So the mousepad and sandpaper method is what creates the popular convex edge? I will have to give this a try but will probably start on some junky older knives I have.

Always good to practice on your old wrecks!

Good idea! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I need some lessons with this one! I could never get a blade sharp like that....Kinda disappointing really.

My Tram' Bolo on an oilstone is [censored] near face shaving sharp! Good steel for pennies... Can't wait to get my paws on my S6 and try the mouse mat and paper trick.

A trick indeed....I hear about it, but I want a live demonstration!

How do you sharpen yours then GF? I'm looking for ideas for when my S6 turns up...

I have a cheap version of a Lansky Sharpenering system...it keeps my blades going.

I like the Lansky, just on big blades it's a pain having to keep moving the clamp around! On my CRKT Kasper it's great though..

One of the days, I will get a Edge Pro Apex or one of those nice sharpening systems....If I can't ever figure out this sandpaper and a mouse pad trick!

I just bought a set of DMT diamond stones and i like them a lot -- i think the DMT system that works like the Lansky would be a great investment. I have always previously used the sandpaper method, which seems to require reprofiling once you commit a knife to the convex edge -- but once the bevel is set it is hair poppin and easy to maintain. I use a section of one of my girlfriend's old yoga mats -- it's bigger than a mousepad and a little softer and thinner - works like a dream. I would say try a few systems until you find one that resonates with you... it seems like everyone has a different preference...

ooohh edge pro, yummmy.... aren't those hella expensive??

One of the old hands needs to do a masterclass (dog/rat) sharpening thread for us noobs! Andy, Dan, PK anyone out there?

You Dogg you! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

That should probably be t1mpani or thombrogan. They are the sharpening guru's. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

well, not while she's doing a backbend on it, of course... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" />

fer sure, Thom is the technician... also knkows a lot about austempering and lower bainitic steel and stuff... knowledgable feller, if you can understand anything he is saying <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> (if i can't it's certainly not his fault...)

It is like talking to an upper level Chemisrty teacher....in a ggod way, I actually listen to him!

Well I didn't take pics but I hacked at some random cardboard I had laying around. This thing definitely needs to be sharpened. I also would like to learn how to do one of those penetrator tips I saw in another thread on here. There was some of the coating on the backside of the tip of my scrapper that is now peeled away just from stabbing the cardboard. I have some 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper and lots of mousepads so I'm going to try that out on some old junker knives I have. I really want to get this scrapper sharpened.

Go 4 it, rvog!

keep that grind angle low! (i made hours of work for myself by sharpening my first Scrapper6 too steep...

How many hours?

Here are some pics of the tip. I really want to figure out how to do that penetrator tip someone else posted in another thread.

I completely agree with 360 on this one - Warren (t1mpani) or ThomBrogan are masters at this! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowdown.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Yup! Yup! I agree too. I'd search Rat Chat as this has been asked many times before. Here’s a couple links to help you.

SRKW Search for "Sharpen"

Keeping it Sharp (From SwampShack)

I tried the sandpaper/mousepad a while when I got my first rat. I decided I didn’t like it after a while. The sandpaper wore out too quick, and I thought it was kinda expensive to keep buying it all the time. I’ve since switched to using V grinds with stones, and have had no problems with it.

I use a 3 sided Gerber stone, then a fine AR stone, then a ceramic rod, then strop it on a leather belt. I can get it shaving sharp this way, and the stones don’t wear out like the sandpaper does.

Whatever works for you Andy, and it sounds like it works well! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

probably one and a half, but it seemed like about a jillion.

I use a double sided waterstone for reprofiling and sharpening, and an old belt/strop with the green compound for touchups and polishing.

Mine came with the penetrator tip from the factory, btw, but you could put one on with a file, I imagine.

It took me about 2 years to get the hang of the sandpaper/mousepad system but now that I can do it I love it! I can touch up the edge on my Battle Rat in just a few minutes with 400 grit paper and maintain the convex edge, which I happen to like. I consider sandpaper to be fairly cheap although it does wear out fairly quickly.

For my knives without a convex edge I mostly use the Spyderco Sharpmaker along with a set of Spyderco bench stones.

I think that a person should try several different methods, then settle on the one he is most proficient and comfortable with.

What Private Klink said! youse guys are making me blush. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" />

Rvogster,

One of the best ways to learn how to hand-sharpen is found on this site. The method works with oilstones, waterstones, diamond hones, sandpaper glued to a hard surface, and, if you only move the knife with its edge trailing behind it, on leather. Worried about losing a convex edge and getting a V-grind? Don't worry for two reasons:

• Your body will get in the way of forming a flat edge. Your arms move in arcs and your hands have 'give' in the muscles and tendons.
  
• Whatever you're cutting doesn't care if the edge is convex or flat - only that it's sharp

You can also try the ye olde Belt-Sander method. It takes a $40 1x30 belt sander, an 80 or 100 grit belt, and some finer belts like those sold by a&h abrasives and Lee Valley.

There are a million other methods, too. What matters most is if you can stick with the method.

Thanks for your input Thom - excellent advice as usual!

I tried the mat and fine 'wet and dry' paper technique. I think I may have pressed down a little too much when pushing the edge forwards into the paper (I usually use an oilstone) so I may have rounded off the edge by pushing it into the mat rather than sharpening it... The black coating was abraded a little upto about 2/3 mm from the edge and the edge itself was lovely and polished shiny but DULL (a steel made no real difference, still deadly dull). On my stone the time spent would have got me a nice sharp V profile, my Scrapper still resembles the banana previously lamented! I think I may go with the stone on this one... (Just to gets my facts straight is the main benefit of a convex edge a little more chip resistance or something else?)

Paul, that is why I stick with the V grind!

dry stones, dmts, crock-sticks, pull throughs, sidewalks if needed.

I experimented a bit on the edge (after getting my eye in on a couple of (ok 4!) old cheaper knives first).. I reprofiled the edge to give a more gradual angle (the gradient was about '1 in 1.5 or 2' on delivery if that makes sense, it reminded me of a hatchet grind...) then polished it using the mouse mat trick and finally used a white crock stick to put the edge on. Now it pops hairs with the best of them! Now I'd describe it as a an elonged (3 to 4mm of bare steel showing) and slightly finer convex edge. I don't know how durable the edge set up will be, but a similar angle on my Tram Bolo and Ontario navy knife have lasted well so I have high hopes!

As I said before Paul, go with what works for you and you're comfortable with! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Happiness is a hair poppin' (sort-of...) paper push cutting (yep) Scrapper 6! Bring on the bowies!

I only had 1 hair popping fixed blade knife, the rest were hair scraping. A Fehrman first strike....that beast was scary sharp!

Keep at it, GravelFace, and you'll quickly reach the point where only hair-popping is a bit of a buzzkill.

Wouldn't want to nick myself with any of your blades Thom I'd lose a finger...!

wow i want to play with a Thom Brogan-sharpened blade...

Borrow some band-aids at the same time!

I love it when an edge is so keen that you can't touch it straight-on without being cut. that's a beautiful thing... i really need to get better at sharpening...

I would like to hone my sharpening skills to finish a small EDC to Thom-Sharp, but I like my choppers toothy.

The have to pitch your edge style to it's use... A big narly chopper with a 'rip' edge would work great, my Tram' Bolo does exactly that. My CRKT Kasper and S6 are more 'polished' sharp. 'Horses for courses'...

'Horses for courses'..? What?

Sorry it just means using the right tool for the job.. Like in horse racing you wouldn't put a horse used to flat course races over a course with jumps/fences in it.

GF - It's a British thing! Another way of putting it would be to say"don't use a draft horse for a thoroughbred race", a.k.a. "the right tool for the right job".

A different level.......

Touch = cut is sharper than what I do. That's more in the t1mpani and Jimmy Fikes range. Mine are just sharper than when I started.

Do you use the sand paper trick Thom?

Thanks PK you've got it spot on!

i guess thats why i sill use a hatchet for chopping

Hatchets are also great, but more limited in versitility! Thats why great choppers are all around better tools in my opinion!

I try to suit the tool to the job !

I prefer my bolo over my hatchet generally, the hatchet is great for taking out roots but I'd prefer the chopper for taking branches off. One bad mis-hit with a hatchet and it's handle replacing time.. not good in the hills.

72 to go Paul !

In for the long haul!

Alright !!!

46 left now...

Sandpaper on top of glass or another hard surface works awesome. There's a crazy chef over at Knifeforums who wets the back of his wet/dry sandpaper and steals the glass from family picture frames to sharpen. He must like sleeping outside a lot.

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Or have a very understanding wife!

That's why I said sleep outside versus being given the Van Gogh or Bobbitt treatment.

Oof, hard life in pursuit of nice edges... I just set myself up a sharpening station- an old unused shelf with a (very cheap) mouse mat on it, a mixture of wet&dry paper, a large white ceramic stick and finally a carpenters 'g clamp' to hold the mat and paper still. It works fine and the wife has no complaints- easy life!

that is a good idea Paul...Might have to try that sometime

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" />

It works really well! I used to oilstone (or Lansky) everything to get nice V grinds, but you ended with your hands covered in nicks and dirty hone oil.. The mouse mat thing works really well and having the 'station' cuts out mess almost totally. I just use a damp tissue to wipe up the 'paper dust and that's it. I now have the sharpest knife I've ever had... (I am self confessed 'sharpening challenged'!)

I use my stones dry. I found the easiest way of cleaning them is to scrub them with a dry green scotch-brite pad. A couple rubs and it's all clean. For cleaning ceramic rods, I use a regular pencil eraser. Quick, easy, and it works great.

Great sharpening station, Paul!

Now we need to get you hooked on waterstones! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I really need some live demonstration of this....

Of Paul the Brit getting hooked? He's already hooked on ScrapYard Knives. What more proof do you need?

Oh, waterstones....

...Well, I live in the dirty Northeast, so I'd be no help. ...Unless you wanted to mail a knife to me and see what a double-sided Norton 1000/8000 can do for you when your knife gets mailed back (no swords, please).

Ooh, at a push I could probably find houseroom for a Scrapper 9! Plus the INFI mudder (I feel an etc coming on!)

I've heard of waterstones before, they sound pretty good. At least they are cleaner than my good old oilstone..

This is why I don't want to use my LE...that blade is wicked sharp and a zero edge, with my sharpening skills (or lack therefore of) I would end up putting a V grind on it. How do you effectivly sharpen the LE?

Getcher self a magnifying glass and look at the edge! Does the grind go all of the way from the spine to the very edge or 99.9999% and then have a teeny micro-bevel? If it's all the way to the edge, lay the blade flat on a strop or a phone with fine-grit wet-dry sandpaper and draw the knife over the strop or paper so the spine moves and the edge trails behind. If there's a tiny, microscopic edge at the bottom of the grind, raise the spine of the blade to about half its height (if it's 1/4" thick, lift it 1/8" off the strop or paper) and do the same.

Go slow; come to a complete stop; and lift the knife so the edge leaves the strop or paper first before repeating. There are no set amounts of how much time it should take.

A sharp blade only matters if it's being used to cut. Otherwise, it's just an expensive and potentially lethal knick-knack (instead of a priced-too-good slicing monster). you've got a pm.

Ah, that is is new to me; when I oilstone (or use 'paper) I've always 'pushed' the edge across/into the abrasive with the spine following (like trying to take bark off a tree or make a feather stick), rather than dragging the edge over it... Sounds like I had it wrong way round.

So long as you're not cutting the paper or stone and so long as your knife is sharper than before you started, you're doing it the right way. Actually, even if you do cut the paper, but the knife ends up sharper, it's still the right way.

Oh happy day! I may learn how to sharpen a knife after all!!!

GF - Perhaps you should change your signature line to read:

"Only a fool believes that there is only one way to sharpen a knife!" <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

It does have its drawbacks---I'm currently typing with one hand because I picked up a newly reprofiled Becker Brute by the blade to hand it to its owner, and wasn't quite ready for him to grab it when he did. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks Thom! I've gotta say everything always ends up sharper! I will try your way round though... GF have fun experimenting, happiness is a razor Scrapper!

It is already a razor......keeping it that way is the trick! I just need a CGS6 and I will be OK!!

GF - We have faith in you that you'll end up owning a CGS6 ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Yep get that black dog and torture it, you know it makes sense!

Paul - You know GF will get a CG Scrapper6, especially since they are leaving the shop sharper now!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

The days of his badger beard may be numbered then! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Well Paul, I have heard those beards called other things, but we'll keep this clean and just refer to GF's facial hair as a "chin brush"! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Or Chin mullet? Half Amish.....ever since I grew this soup catcher, I have been approached by many folks who thought I was selling drugs!!! Just cause a guy grows facial hair qualifies him as a dealer?!

Nah, it must be your good looks and serious nature! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I am going to get one of those utilikilts one of these days to complete the "look"! I fear the chin brushes days are limited though...I take the civil service test this week.......soon legitamate employment will force me into shaving...NNNOOOOOO!!!!!!!

GravelFace,

Have you made a strop yet? $7 in materials goes a long way.

When I am home so is the Misses....let me tell you, watching an video on knife sharpening does not bode well with her! But alas, today she works and I am off till 3:00pm ...World of razor edges here I come.

Wait'll you see the 'three finger test' on the video. You can do it!

Definitely a vid to watch alone.

Just updating on my Scrapper 6, I had another go at him with a (mostly) worn out piece of P400 medium wet&dry and my white crock stick.. I have finally got him hair popping- he was nearly there before but now one light pass down my leg took all the hair off for about 3" by 3/4"... (My wife thinks I'm nuts but how else do you check for hair popping??) Now he's got that edge if he'll keep it I'll be in mutt heaven!

It's a lot easier to maintain an edge once you get it profiled like you want it. I was using my Battle Rat earlier in the week to split logs for the fireplace at my Aunt's house. I split like a dozen logs that night. Some of them I kept splitting until they were kindling size. I tested my BR when I got home, and after all that splitting it was still shaving sharp. I went ahead and touched it up last night though. Now it's dangerously sharp again. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

One day I will get that good! I'm kinda 'sharpening challenged',... but I'm pleased with how the Scrapper came up. I can't wait for that INFI mudder that'll be interesting!

So will the Bowie!!

Practice and having a variety of grits helps. I got my first knife when I was 4, and my first sheath knife when I was 7. I couldn't sharpen for $h!t until a few years ago. Used to, I tried all those gadget sharpeners, but then I found I got the best results with plain 'ole stones and ceramic.

I've got a Lansky kit (I'd recommend it too if you want flat V grinds) but that mouse mat and wet&dry paper 'trick' really works for me now. Also unlike free hand sharpening on an oilstone, you can't (EASILY) stuff up an hours work if you make a pass at too steep an angle when you 'paper' your knives! But I'd have to agree if you have 'the touch' big flat bench stones can work wonders..

GF - Thanks for reminding Paul of the Bowie ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

I think the bowie will be out in a 'swamp' two weeks...

Don't say that!!!!! Think positive thoughts here...

Om.. the bowie will be out soon.. Om.. the bowie will be out soon.. Om.. the bowie will be out soon! Om.. if the bowie isn't out soon PK and GF will be camping outside the factory with the BCAA.. Om.. I'm glad I'm not Dan! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Or worse...a Swamp "February". <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> (Remember? The new line? Instead it came out in what...June or so?) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

The bowie will be out when it's out. It'll be worth the wait. It'll make you happy you waited. It'll make you shamed you groused.

Thom - Our grousing is not a cause for shame, but rather encouragement for Dan and Patti. We want their products !!!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Tom

I bet it feels like sunshine and candycorns to come here and see us whining for bowie knives and mudder-gripped handy knives. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

Maybe I'll scare up a camera soon and try making a tutorial on sandpaper sharpening based on my understanding of t1mpani's sanding block trick. It's convex-friendly and it works. Wouldn't have anyone hold their breath, though.

I think collective breath is being held.. go to it Thom! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Thom - Our whining is simply proof of a huge demand for their products ! It's called "customer feedback"! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I think your idea of a picture-laden tutorial is a great idea, and would be greatly appreciated by MANY of our fellow forumites. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> Tom

Hell yeah! I reinvented the banana tonight... I was trying to get the pointy third of the blade as hair popping as the two thirds nearest the choil. Result calamity... the darned thing barely draw cuts paper. I did everything the same as previously and it just hasn't worked... I'm giving the thing a rest for a couple of days then it'll be round 2! Dammit dammit dammit... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/paperbag.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" />

What about now? Can I hold my breath now? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I don't know if you can, but you may. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Are you sure you're not a Brit Thom being that pedantic? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Does watching endless hours of 'Fawlty Towers' count? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Very nearly! How long do we have to hold our breath Thom? My Scrapper is still a p*** poor banana... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Anyone took an "asymetrical" grind down to a symetrical one? How long and what process workes best? It is a 6" blade.

Sorry GF don't know but I figure a bit of time with a bench stone would do the job pretty well... Isn't flattening the convex side all you are doing if it's a Busse assy'?

My Scrapper has now been uprated from a banana to a melon slice- by Xmas 07 it may even be really sharp! Thom where is the tutorial?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crossfingers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

I hope the INFI stuff comes sharper...

This one's not the sanding block one (have a special knife coming home that'll be used for that one), but here's a quasi tutorial with my Muddy Mischief 6:

Sharpening by Dummy.

Thanks Thom, I'll be experimenting soon on old flat grinds and save the mutt for the sandpaper trick... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/thumbup.gif" alt="" />

Tried the sandpaper trick, but you have to want to keep the edge (width/thickness) it already has or else insanity will take hold.

Don't have a Scrapyard Knifeworks Bowie, so I used a custom knife from Justin Gingrich:

Tried sand-sharpening RD-3.75

Thom, feeling motivated and informed by your post(s) I had another go at my S6.. I use my Lansky kit and a marker pen (magic marker?) to reprofile the point third of the blade (totally ignoring the Lansky instructions as it wouldn't hold a wedge shaped blade at all well). I then used the sandpaper trick with coarse 'emery' paper to put an edge on (carefully, slowly dragging the edge over the paper).... I honed on a white ceramic stick by lightly drawing the edge backwards over it- I managed to razor sharpen the whole thing! My Scrapper now has two thirds of a blade (choil to curve) that is a steeper profile for splitting and chopping and a strong scalpel like final third for carving and whittling- all razor hair-popping sharp.. Given I am shockingly bad at sharpening this is a major result! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for sharing the good news with us!

Congrats! I found I used my knives a lot more when I figured out how to put a good edge on them, because I knew I could quickly fix the edge if it dulled. Before I could sharpen well, I was hesitant, because I knew I could spend all afternoon trying to figure out how to get it sharp again. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

A sharp knife makes for a happy owner! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />